8 Bandidos Motorcycle Club members indicted for drug trafficking, leader still at-large

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(Photo: Courtesy Colorado Attorney General)

8 Bandidos Motorcycle Club members indicted for drug trafficking, leader still at-large

(Photo: Courtesy Colorado Attorney General)

DENVER — Eight individuals have been indicted by Colorado’s Attorney General Cynthia Coffman on Wednesday for operating a drug trafficking ring in the Denver-metro area.

Officials seized approximately two and half pounds of meth with a street value $40,000, according to a statement from the Attorney General’s office.

The Colorado Attorney General’s Office began investigating this ring in August 2014 and worked with the Metro Gang Task Force and the FBI and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the statement said.

“Operation Tick and Flea Collar,” is the code name of the drug trafficking ring. The local drug trafficking organization is led by Philip Lee Duran aka “Bandido Fee,” Michael Derek Mensen, aka “Bandido Tick,” and Lornezo Leuis Sojo.

(Photo: Courtesy Colorado Attorney General)

Also charged as part of the operation was Hugo A. Vaca, Nicholas Murillo, Julieann Nicole Linebarger, Erika Navarrette, and Zackaria Bengheshir.

The group is accused of violating the Colorado Organized Crime Control Act, by participating in trafficking large quantities of methamphetamine, unlawful possession of firearms, money laundering, and conspiracy, the statement said.

“Under Duran’s leadership, this group sourced its drug supply from a variety of wholesale distributors and then sold them throughout the Denver-metro area,” said Attorney General Coffman. “Law enforcement agencies across Colorado again coordinated to interrupt a drug-trafficking operation run by the Bandidos Motorcycle Club which is well known for its use of violence and intimidation.”

Most of the defendants have been arrested; however Duran, one of the leaders, is still at-large.

Anyone with any information on the whereabouts of Philip Duran may be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.

The public can contact Metro Gang Task Force Investigator Mohlman at (303) 597-5103.

Anyone with information who wishes to remain anonymous, should call CRIME STOPPERS at 720-913-STOP or text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) and then use the title “DMCS” and enter the message.